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Why did NASCAR change the Daytona 500?

Why did NASCAR change the Daytona 500?

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NASCAR is changing how its races work. It used to be that cars would start on lap 1 and when the checkered flag waved, whoever was in first place would win and drivers got more points the better they finished. Now it’s a bit more complicated than that.

Races this year are being broken up into multiple parts, essentially creating three races in one. So instead of the Daytona 500, we get the Daytona 150, 150, and 200. The idea is to make the entire race more exciting. Since much of the best racing happens at the end of the race, when position really matters, having three checkered flags should mean fans see more and better racing throughout the entire race.

Verge reporter Sean O’Kane was at the Daytona 500 this past weekend and will have much more on the race later this week, but the above video has a look at what NASCAR is doing — and why.